The United States embargo against Cuba, has been in force since 1958 due to an armed conflict in Cuba pitting rebels against the Batista government. When Cuba aligned themselves with the Soviet Union during the cold war, President John F. Kennedy, widened the trade restrictions in 1962. A former aide of Kennedy’s was asked to purchase 1,000 cuban cigars before the embargo took effect. The aide purchased 1,200 cigars for Kennedy (maybe he should have stuck with an American brand like Black and Mild cigars.

It is still illegal for US residents to purchase or import Cuban cigars. US citizens are not allowed to purchase cigars in Canada or Mexico, even though they are readily available. Cuban cigars smuggled into the US are demand high prices. Most cigars that claim to be Cubans are actually counterfeit.